By Phil D. Jay
Former European light-welterweight champion Paul McCloskey is set to make his return some time in the autumn (fall) after his six-round stoppage defeat to WBA champion Amir Khan. The 31 year-old was halted controversially on a relatively harmless cut in his first world title shot, although he had lost every round and was on his way to a landslide points loss to the Briton.
“Dudey” suffered his first professional loss in 23 bouts at the MEN Arena in April and has been harbouring hopes of enticing Khan, 24, back into the ring for a rematch ever since. It looks more likely though, that the Dungiven southpaw could be matched with the only man to beat the champion, Breidis Prescott as promoter Eddie Hearn announced earlier this month.
If Hearn can arrange the bout, which is said to have a chance of being staged in Belfast, then the winner would be in line to challenge for a world title sometime in the new year, whether it be against Khan, IBF champion Zab Judah or WBC and WBO belt holder Timothy Bradley.
Phil D. Jay covers the boxing scene for worldboxingnews.net